Dental scheme to continue until 31 March

The Chronic Disease Dental Scheme will continue until at least 31 March next year, according to the Federal Treasurer, Mr Swan. In last week’s Mid-Year Economical and Fiscal Outlook, he said: “Medicare Services payments .. are expected to increase by $231 million in 2011/12, primarily stemming from the extension of the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme to 31 March 2012 as a result of the Senate disallowing the determination to close the Scheme. The closure of the CDDS remains the Government’s policy”.

The scheme was to have finished at the end of this month but the Coalition and the Greens have twice blocked legislation to end the CDDS. Last month the Coalition and the Greens combined to pass a motion in the Senate calling for the Government to provide details about dentists being audited for allegedly breaching requirements of the scheme. The documents have to be presented to the Senate by 7 February.

In the meantime the National Advisory Commmittee on Dental Health (NACDH), which was appointed by Health Minister Roxon to advise on the new Commonwealth Dental Program and dental workforce issues, has submitted its report, and we await the Government's response.